Awakening Johto - Rescue on Mt. Silver

Chapter 1 - "Don't Say Dead."

(Updated April 21st 2020)

The second ever Manalo Conference was beginning to wrap up in Alola. Everyone's eyes were fixated on the event, bringing most of the islands on Alola to an almost complete silence. The people in Melemele gathered at the trainer's school to watch in the courtyard. Residents of Akala Island all watched within their homes. The farmers all worked, but everyone kept an ear out, listening to the radio coverage of the event. Most of the residents of Ula'ula Island went to the event to watch it live. And Poni Island, usually full of the strongest trainers battling intensely, was mostly silent. Mostly.

One singular explosion filled the Vast Poni Village with smoke. And as the smoke settled, it revealed the winner of this particular battle.

"Mudsdale is unable to battle! Venusaur and Cyan are the victors!" Kala called while she held up her hands. She wore a short one piece dress with red Alolan print. Once she lowered her hand, she tucked her short black hair behind her ears. The explosion had ruffled it slightly, irritating her. But it was something that she had gotten used to over the years.

"Yatta!" a boy, aged 12 years, yelled while he jumped into the air and clapped his feet together. "We did it, Venusaur!"

"Saur!"

The boy's opponent returned her massive Ground-type Pokémon before walking forward with a stern expression on her face. She slowly started to smile before she sighed with relief, and her eyes became gentle. "It's been a long two year wait, Cyan, but you've finally done it."

Cyan softly pet his Pokémon on the head, and then looked up at his opponent. "Only a few months for myself, but I'm glad that I've finished the Island Challenge. Our battle was fun, Hapu."

Hapu pulled her stamp from her pocket, and she motioned towards the wooden amulet that Cyan wore across his neck. He nodded and pulled it off of his head, handing it over. Hapu then stamped the fourth triangle of the amulet, officially finishing his Island Challenge.

Kala approached the two. She patted Cyan on the back, and a wide grin came over her face. "Our little Cyan finally did it! It's very odd to me that the first Champion of Alola just finished the Island Challenge though."

Cyan took back his amulet and put it around his head once again. "That's still not a title that I'm comfortable with."

"But no matter, we're all very proud of you," Kala said quietly. "What are you going to do now?"

Cyan went back home to his house on Melemele Island. Over the two years that his mother had lived there, she hadn't found a lot of energy to actually unpack things. Many of Cyan's clothes were left in boxes, and since Cyan's mother was alone most of the time, she hadn't bothered to unpack most of the dishes. Cyan helped with this. He organized the cupboards and dusted off the shelves. His mother's mood had changed drastically over the past couple of months, and she was happy to help him.

The two listened to Kanto city pop as they did their chores. Cyan's Oranguru, a Pokémon who had retired from battling, tidied up Cyan's room. He had been using it for the past two years, and he was embarrassed at the mess that his fur had made. He locked the door to the room and cleaned up to the best of his abilities. Enjoying the tunes, he privately danced to the music.

And this is what life was like for a while. Cyan would wake up, go to the beach with his Pokémon, and enjoy the ocean. Mrs. Kokura would go shopping in the city for dinner ingredients. They'd meet back up at night, do chores to keep the house tidy, and then they'd enjoy dinner together.

The two years that Cyan was gone, a lot had changed for his team. For Venusaur and Primarina, they remained by his side, but for the others, things were different. His Graveler, now a fully evolved Golem, spent his time on Ula'ula Island, keeping his old group of Geodude out of trouble. Without a boss, they made a mess of things for tourists on the mountain. Oranguru had spent all of his time with Cyan's mom, and due to his lack of battling for so long, he forgot how to use most of his moves. He didn't mind though. He'd walk to the beach and find himself in a battle of wits with the wild Slowking that made their way to Melemele Island. Finally was Lycanroc and Salazzle, whose battling spirit never once wavered. They stuck around with Kala and were seen as the guardians of the Vast Poni Canyon Gym. Their strength was almost unmatched at this point, and even Cyan felt intimidated by them.

It had been awhile since the group of six Pokémon had gotten together, and Cyan was eager to see all of his Pokémon in one spot. One day, he left Melemele Island. He went to Ula'ula Island where Golem was. Golem was happy to see his trainer again, and he even offered some of his food to Cyan, but the human had to ultimately decline a rock-based diet. Their next destination was Poni Island. Lycanroc and Salazzle were there, and they were overjoyed to have Cyan show up.

Cyan and his six Pokémon collected together once again. They went to Poni Beach and relaxed for awhile, enjoying each other's company like old times. Venusaur and Oranguru enjoyed simple conversation, and Oranguru taught the Grass-type about the changes over the past two years. Primarina swam through the water as fast as he could, repeatedly jumping out of it and making funny faces in an effort to make the others laugh. Salazzle watched over the group far away from the water. She buried herself in the sand where she could enjoy some of its heat. And Lycanroc and Golem sparred with one another. It had been a long time since they practiced battling, and they wanted to test their abilities a little bit.

Cyan was just happy to see all of his Pokémon together once again.

When night came, Cyan prepared dinner for them on the beach. He prepared barbeque, and the six Pokémon enjoyed the food. When they had finished eating, the seven of them got into a circle so Cyan could talk with them all closely. With food in their bellies and the warmth of the fire, they could all relax and enjoy their trainer's voice.

"I've been thinking about what's next," he said. "It's been a tough decision considering all that has happened over the past two years, but I want to continue my journey. I know that a lot of you are comfortable right now with where you're at, and if you don't want to go with me, I understand completely. I can't force you to leave."

The six Pokémon exchanged looks. They loved each other and their trainer, but they had gotten so used to their lives on Alola.

"Oranguru, you're getting up there in age, and going on another adventure probably sounds like too much."

Oranguru nodded. He didn't want to leave the comfort of Cyan's home. He became accustomed to sleeping on a human bed, and he had a certain fondness for Mrs. Kokura's cooking.

"And Lycanroc. I've heard how much you enjoy staying at Kala's gym, and I know that you and Litten have a special kind of relationship. If you don't want to come with me, I understand."

Lycanroc was embarrassed. She had become enamoured with the Fire-type, and the thought of leaving her for a journey across the planet had made her anxious, but she nodded, letting Cyan know that she'd join him.

"Graveler-er-Golem, you have duties in Ula'ula."

"Golem."

"If you don't keep those Geodude in check, they're gonna continue to make a mess of things over there. You get them straight, alright?"

"Golem," he responded, but then his arms slumped slightly before he shook his head. He stood up straight. "Golem!"

"You'll join me?"

"Golem!"

"Well, alright then!"

"Go-Golem!"

"Now for Salazzle."

The Fire-type Pokémon looked up, and she held out her hand in a way to tell Cyan to stop. She stood up and put her hands at her hips and then hissed. She enjoyed living with Kala, but she wasn't going to let Cyan get away from her that easily.

Cyan laughed. "So, you're coming with me?"

Salazzle hissed again and then looked away shyly.

"So, then it's settled," Cyan said. "We're going to Mt. Silver."

"No you're not," Mrs. Kokura snapped.

The two stood in the kitchen of their home. Cyan came in with confidence, and he told his mother of his plan, but he was met immediately with a 'no.'

"But, mom!"

"No!" she yelled. "You don't get it, do you? Cyan, I thought I lost you. For two years, you were gone. I thought I lost my second child."

"Mom, if I came back, then I'm sure that Aoi is out there too. There has to be some way to explain her disappearance!"

Mrs. Kokura sighed and then took a seat in one of the chairs at the kitchen counter. "Cyan, no. They're two very different scenarios. You went through some kind of portal to a different dimension. There was no way for us to travel and get you. Aoi, well, we're almost sure that she's-"

"Don't say dead," Cyan said softly. "She's not dead. Aoi is still alive."

Mrs. Kokura ran her hands through her greying dark brown hair wildly. "Think realistically! She went missing roughly four years ago, and if she hasn't turned up by now, what makes you think she's going to turn up? Cyan, she's-"

"Don't say dead!" he snapped.

The two were silent for a moment before Cyan collected himself. He couldn't look at his mother though, doing his best to keep his gaze towards the table.

"She's alive. Aoi was too strong of a trainer to let anything kill her. I think something happened when she was up there, but it wasn't something that killed her. She chose to stay there."

Mrs. Kokura looked up, and her eyes finally met Cyan's. They both had brown eyes while Aoi shared black eyes with Cyan's father. "Cyan, you're asking me to let you go to the place where my daughter went missing. How can you ask me to let you do that?"

Cyan took a deep breath. "Well, mom. I'm not asking you. I'm going. I'm sorry, but I'm going. If there's a chance that Aoi is alive, even if it's a small chance, then I owe it to her to go and look. And then this time next week, you'll have your family back."

His mom continued to stare, but she was silent. Cyan could tell that she was about to cry, but she did a good job at keeping back the tears. And then finally, she simply said, "Okay."

"Okay?"

"Okay."

"Oh wow."

"But you promise me one thing, boy."

"What?"

"You're not going alone. You have to take Kala or someone else just as strong with you. You're not going to that hellscape alone."

Cyan slowly nodded. "I can ask."

"If you can't find someone, you're not going."

"I guess that's fair."

"And you only have one week there. If you don't find her in one week, you come back immediately. Got it?"

Cyan slowly nodded. He couldn't believe it, but he was really going to Johto.

"No," Kala said.

"What?" Cyan asked, his dreams immediately dashed upon asking his old companion to join him.

"I can't. I'm sorry. I have duties as a Gym Leader," Kala said. "It'd be irresponsible for me to just suddenly leave. Trust me, I want to go. But I can't. I promised to protect Alola and the Altar of the Sunne and Moone."

"Man…" Cyan groaned.

Kala could see the disappointment on Cyan's face, but she had already made her choice. She felt guilty, but she wouldn't let it show. The two years as a gym leader forced her to always appear strong.

"But."

"But?"

"There is someone that may be able to go with you," Kala said. She turned and looked out towards Ula'ula Island.

Cyan never once had to climb Mount Lanakila. But he saw it as decent training for his inevitable journey through Mt. Silver. He changed into a pair of white jeans, and he wore a thick black coat over his new pink sweater. He had become so acclimated to the Alolan heat, so the sudden cold took him by surprise.

But he pressed on up the mountain. The Pokémon were known for being more violent than others, but Cyan's lack of fear seemed to have put some of them on pause. He held onto his Poké Ball tightly, prepared to send Salazzle into battle if necessary. But it never was.

After a few hours of hiking, he had to finally come to a stop. He released his five Pokémon, and they huddled around a fire while they ate some food that he had prepared before he started the short journey. They ate silently.

Then, suddenly, something caught their attention. From the snow emerged a small creature, and Salazzle shot forward, prepared to attack. But then she stopped, finding that whatever was approaching them was coming slowly. It posed no threat to them, but it did seem curious about the four unfamiliar beings.

Cyan recognized the small Pokémon. It was white as snow with six poofy tails. It had gentle, purple eyes that gazed at the four with a sense of innocence.

Cyan smiled and calmly waved the Pokémon over. He held out a piece of bread that he had been eating. "C'mon, Vulpix. Do you want some food?"

"Vul!" the Pokémon responded quietly. It walked by Salazzle with no sense of fear and then approached the trainer. Instead of taking the food from Cyan's hand, it instead ran its head against his arm before climbing into his lap and then relaxing. The Pokémon was so comfortable around Cyan that it made the trainer slightly uncomfortable.

"Saur," Cyan's starter exclaimed with a sense of jealousy.

"Do you want to sit in my lap?" Cyan asked with a laugh. He turned back to Vulpix and petted it softly. "You're very comfortable around humans." He felt the warmth from the Ice-type, and he could feel its heart beating softly. The heartbeat was slightly rhythmic, but something about it was off. And then, it all came to Cyan. He had met this Vulpix before. He recognized her eyes and her heartbeat, and she was friendly to him, although for her, she hadn't seen him in two years. He must have made an impression.

"So, you're wild now?" he asked.

"Vul," the Pokémon cooed softly.

"I guess that means you're healthy. I'm happy for you!"

"Pix."

"We're going on an adventure. It's gonna be a little dangerous. I'd ask you to come, but I don't want to put you in that kind of situation."

Vulpix looked up at him, and then she slightly huffed. She got off of his lap and then walked towards one of the cave walls. She took a breath before unleashing a strong beam of ice, crashing it into the wall. The ice froze instantly, and the entirety of the cave shook. Cyan and his Pokémon were stunned into silence by the Pokémon's strength.

Cyan then began to laugh nervously. "I-I guess you'd have to be strong if you live in an environment like this. Want to come with us?"

Vulpix turned and cocked her head before smiling. "Vulpix!"

The remaining trek up Mount Lanakila only took a few more hours. Cyan walked alongside his newly caught Vulpix. She stayed close, and although she knew the area was dangerous, she was happy to be with the trainer.

What waited for Cyan at the top of the mountain was a massive stadium with a dome built in overhead. He approached the front doors of the stadium, and was immediately stopped by two men dressed from head to toe in thick jackets. Their faces were covered with masks to protect them from the cold, but Cyan could tell that they had stern expressions.

"What is your business here?" one of them asked.

Cyan laughed. "So formal! I'm here to see a friend."

"Are you a challenger?"

"Nope."

"Do you have an appointment?"

"Nope."

"Then we can't let you in."

"What?!"

One of the guards nodded. "We can't just let anybody into the hall. The Elite Four are busy, and they can't be bothered by random people."

"Are you telling me I made this whole trip for nothing?" Cyan asked. He sighed. "Can you at least tell Lilo to get into contact with me. I'm not sure how busy she is, but I really need to talk to her."

The guards looked at one another, and they shrugged. "I guess that can be done. What's your name?"

"Cyan Kokura."

The two guards froze up, and their intimidating posture laxed. They looked at each other and then back at the boy and then back at each other. Cyan couldn't get a good read on their faces, but he could tell they were perplexed by something.

"You should have said so. We're very sorry. You may enter. We'll call Lilo immediately," one of them said while politely opening the door. He bowed vigorously while ushering Cyan through. The trainer was confused, but he walked through nonetheless.

"Vulpix?" his Pokémon asked.

"I have no idea," he answered.

The two were guided to a small waiting area. It had luxurious sofas and chairs made from leather. He took a seat, and Vulpix found a place on his lap. The guard that let him in then talked with a woman who was in a nice dress with an apron. He gave her instructions, and she soon brought him a small cup with some green tea in it. She set the tea cup to the side and then left him alone.

The two waited for a few moments in silence. Cyan slowly sipped on his tea, letting the almost boiling hot liquid warm his body. Within moments, Vulpix had fallen asleep, and Cyan had to make sure that his movements were slow, as to not wake up the Ice-type.

Then, the door opened, and a familiar face poked her head through. It was Cyan's old friend, Lilo. Her long black hair hung down to her shoulders, and although they were in the coldest part of Alola, she wore short shorts and a loose fitting floral print shirt. She ran over to give Cyan a hug, who now had to regrettably wake up Vulpix. The two embraced, and Lilo, now two years older than Cyan, was slightly taller.

"Have you readjusted?" she asked.

"It's been a weird couple of months," he said as he took his seat. "A lot can change over two years, and some of the shock has still yet to wear off, but I'm getting there."

Lilo took a seat opposite of him. She looked at his cup, but once she noticed that it was green tea, she decided against drinking any of it. Instead, she smiled and looked at Cyan in the eyes. "So, what brings you all the way up here? Want to challenge me for my position as an Elite Four member?"

Cyan chuckled and then shook his head. "Nah. I actually have a request, but I'm not sure if you'll have the time."

"I'll make the time," she responded. "Anything for you!"

Cyan sat back and sipped on the tea. It had now burnt his tongue, and he had no more feeling in his mouth, but he really wanted to be warm. "Well. I was wondering if you'd join me on a small quest to Johto."

Kala appeared slightly taken aback, and she didn't respond immediately. She now took her own cup and poured herself some tea. "Johto? Why Johto?"

"I'm sure you know," Cyan said softly. "Everyone knows about my sister."

Kala looked into her tea before she forced herself to drink some of it. "Yeah. I know."

"My mom said that I can go for one week and look for her if I take someone strong with me. Kala said no because she wants to keep an eye on the altar, but I figured I could ask you. I heard that Emma is in Johto right now, but she's busy with the conference. You're the only other person I know, so you're my last option. Feel no pressure, but I really want you to come with me."

"Mt. Silver is a dangerous place, Cyan."

"I know."

"And I have duties as an Elite Four member."

"I know. I know you do."

Lilo took a drink of her tea, wincing as the bitterness hit her taste buds.

"Please," Cyan said. "I know my sister is out there. I have to find her."

Lilo was silent for a moment. When she didn't answer, Cyan simply hung his head low.

"I'll go with you," she said. "We can't let you disappear again."

Cyan perked up. "Huh?"

"Yeah. My duties as an Elite Four are overblown. I actually have a lot of freetime which I spend training and watching foreign television shows," she said. She put her cup down. "I'll go with you. One week can't hurt. I gotta protect my little bro, ya know?"

"Little bro?"

Lilo stood up. "Yeah. You're too young to be my boyfriend, so I'll guess I'll settle with you being like my brother. I'll go and get my stuff ready. Give me awhile, okay?"

"O-okay!"

Lilo smiled. "We'll find your sister, Cyan."

Cyan couldn't believe it. With every step of the way towards going to Johto, he had to overcome obstacle after obstacle, and it started to feel hopeless. But now that Lilo had said yes, he could take the next step. In only a few hours, the two would set out for Johto. And if everything went right, in only a few days, he'd see his sister again.

AUTHOR'S NOTES:

Sorry for the absence. Different aspects, like corona and an untimely break up, has kind of sucked away my motivation. That said, I'll keep trying to post.

So, a few things! Cyan has a new Pokémon in Vulpix. One thing about Vulpix is that Cyan doesn't realize it's shiny. I caught a shiny Alolan Vulpix, and I didn't realize it for the longest time, so it's a reference to my own personal stupidity.

Also, Cyan and Lilo are setting out on an adventure! This is only going to be a shorter story. I've given Cyan the one week limit to go on his journey, so he couldn't do the gym challenge in that amount of time. I kind of feel like Cyan would be a bit traumatized by the events that took place, so he might not be in the mood to go on a full-fledged adventure in Johto at the moment. I'm also wanting to experiment with my writing a bit. I want to get better at developing my original stories and characters, so here we go.

For timeline purposes, this story takes place pretty much right before "Healing in Hoenn" but it has little to no relation to that story.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: UPDATED

Originally I had Cyan only take Venusaur, Primarina, Salazzle, and Vulpix with him. I've updated this to include Lycanroc and Golem.

A QUICK NOTE ON POKEMON CAPITALIZATION

I understand that there's this little war going on within the community, and I just want to say that I don't want to be apart of any of it. I've decided to capitalize the way that I want to. I own countless official Pokémon storybooks that I read to kids, and they capitalize Pokémon names and such. I don't care if you do or don't. I don't care if it's wrong or right. Don't waste your time reviewing that aspect of my story. It will fall on deaf ears.